Reports from down South have stated that Dale are to sign Dutch defender Pim Balkestein on loan until January from League One rivals Brentford.

The Hounslow Chronicle has reported that Dale have signed Balkestein on loan until the next transfer window, with a view to a permanent transfer. He has two years left on his contract with Brentford.

The 24 year old came to English football during the 2007-8 season, when he signed for Ipswich Town. He spent two years with the Suffolk side, before signing for Brentford after two successful spells with the club.

If this signing goes through, it could mean a spell on the sidelines for Marcus Holness. Steve Eyre has been quoted as suggesting that he wants more height in the side, and Balkestein fills that role. He is left footed - another issue that has been raised.

Comments from Brentford supporters suggest that he is a good player but has suffered due to the number of decent centre backs that they have on their books.

If you are wanting an omen, then Balkestein grabbed his first goal in English football in a 3-2 victory away at Oldham. Assuming the signing is cleared in time for Saturday's game, he may get the chance to repeat that feat.

Photo: Action Images

Toffeemanc added 09:34 - Aug 19 If holness is the player to be dropped then I feel he will be very unlucky, on current performances I would much rather switch Holness to the right and leave Trotman on the bench as I feel he has been the weak link in the back four so far.
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qlrken05 added 11:37 - Aug 19 I agree, Holness gets better with every game . he is solid and reliable for us , Not yet convinced about trotman .
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geraldo added 12:10 - Aug 19 This signing can only be good for the club as it least gives SE more options- however I think it is time that we spent real money ( £350k from COG) rather than just pick up other clubs cast offs.
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RAFC_1994 added 12:16 - Aug 19 Not convinced by Trotman or Holness this season. Both look very shaky and there appears to be a lack of communication between them. Holness will probably be the one to go, as Balkenstein and Trotman will be the height that he wants at the back.
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onedalefan added 21:58 - Aug 19 When are we going to to sign someone up front. Even before the sale of COG, this was the area we were missing someone and now it even more obvious, we need a target man. JLAA, even after his displays so far, is not the person to aim for as he is better running at people and we need someone that Ashley Grimes can feed off.
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regjenkins added 18:39 - Aug 20 Well played today fella. welcome aboard..
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Toffeemanc added 20:02 - Aug 20 How many people after todays game still think that Holness,should be the player to miss out in favour of Trotman? Didn't want to say it before but I personally feel that Trotman is simply not good enough and will hang around at great expense to our club as I don't think we will have any success trying to move him on.
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Mass_Debater added 00:32 - Aug 21 I'm not sure there's many who thought that in the first place Toffeemanc
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